Traffic concerns over dog park plans

A landowner who wants to turn a field into an exercise area where “reactive or timid dogs” can be let off the lead has responded to traffic concerns.

Amongst the objectors to Anne Robinson’s plan for a grazing field at Somerwood, near Uffington, are highways officers at Telford & Wrekin Council.

The site is close to Shrewsbury but within Telford & Wrekin Council’s area.

Highways chiefs had said that the plans were “simply not detailed enough” and that the applicant will need to provide information about the access, and a visibility splay.

In an updated document submitted to the Telford & Wrekin Council planning portal, the applicant said use of the exercise area, by up to three cars, would have to be pre-booked.

“Permission is sought to create a secure exercise area where reactive or timid dogs can safely be allowed off the lead without fear of escaping or being attacked by other dogs,” the statement says.

“Access is from a pull in area off the road, before accessing the gate, so cars can turn in without causing any delay to traffic on the road.

“As the exercise slots are by pre-booked appointment only, there should be no congestion around the site.”

The 6,355 sq-metre fenced off field is about the size of a football pitch and would be available for hire 365 days of the year between 8am and 8pm.

There would be parking for a maximum of three cars, and dog waste would be “disposed of in the correct manner.”

One person would be employed by the business and a nine foot hedge means it is ‘not visible’ to anyone passing.

Rodington Parish Council has told the council that it has “no objection” on the condition that it “does not intrude onto the highway or cause nuisance to local residents.”

Members of the public have also lodged objections.

One person says there is already a secure dog park less than three miles away.

Another says they want agricultural land to be “used for food, not for pets.”

A third objector states there are already a lot of walking spaces so there is no need for it.

“This application will attract people from outside of the area and how is the additional traffic going to be managed in the narrow lanes?,” says the neighbour.

“There isn’t enough detail in the application on how the traffic and disturbance in the area will be managed.

“Change of good value agricultural land use to not needed dog exercise field is not justified. What is the need for this change?” they ask.

Pix: Pixabay dog